VS The Black Cellien, Part 1

Time goes back to when Kaban and Serval met the Cellien Hunters nearby the Sunrise Harbor. Brown Bear and Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey keeping the two non-combatants away from the battlefield, despite having regrouped with African Wild Dog, still had to fight with the continuously growing Black Cellien. Even with the giant having seemingly endless stamina, the trio have continued their determined assault. However…

"Dammit… This thing, it keeps reforming…!" Thought the impatient Brown Bear, as she chipped away more and more from the growing Black Cellien.

The Black Cellien, which currently was substantially larger than any forest tree, has continued to absorb even more Sandstar Raw and began to grow bigger. Its rectangular body swelled up into a sphere, while the thin legs stuck to its torso became as thick as a great tree's trunk.

"This… It can't control itself, can it? If it won't be able to withstand its growth at this rate, then there's a chance that it'll self-destruct." African Wild Dog expressed her analysis in a calm manner despite trembling in fear.

"You say that, however…"

"In any case, all we can do is… to keep on attacking!"

In contrast to Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey's doubt, Brown Bear held onto her bear paw and activated her Wild Release.

"UOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Seeing this, the Black Cellien roared.

The thunderous roar shook the ground as it froze even the experienced trio in place.

"Th-That roar…!"

"It's blowing off my eardrums…!"

"…! Watch out!"
Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey noticed it first. As it headed towards the trio intimidated by its roar, the Black Cellien displayed its ability at that size. Despite its slow movements, the trio barely avoided its appendage as it swung, blowing away trees and rocks in its way into pieces. Thanks to the Hunters' years of experience, a clean hit due to a slow reaction has been avoided. However,

"UWAAAAH!"

Due to the strength of the gigantic appendage a gale was created that blew away the three Friends without a trace. Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey and Brown Bear turned mid-air, and managed to land. However, African Wild Dog, who was the closest to the swing, wasn't so flexible. Not being able to quickly position herself, the blown away African Wild Dog had slammed into a tree.

"African Wild Dog!" Shouted Brown Bear in a worried voice.

"This is not good… We're taking too much damage!"

Rushing up to her, Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey checked African Wild Dog's sustained injuries. There was no bleeding, but African Wild Dog displayed no signs of movement, as if she had no energy.

"Dammit… We've got to withdraw for now. Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey, take African Wild Dog to a safe place! I'll go draw that thing's attention!"

"But, Brown Bear-san…!"

"Don't worry, I won't be reckless! I'll concentrate on defense! Now get out of here!"

"...Understood."

Seeing off Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey carrying African Wild Dog, Brown Bear raised her voice.

"Hey… Pick up those two and Boss on your way! If they're still wandering around aimlessly, then they'll be in too much danger!"

"...Brown Bear-san, after all you are worried about those two…"

"Now's not the time for this! It's coming!"

The Black Cellien was on the move. While Brown Bear was drawing its attention while in Wild Release, Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey had retreated.

…

Following Boss who wanted to see the situation on the mountain, Kaban and Serval walked towards the direction from which Sandstar was spewed. The two had recoiled when a roar resounded from the forest.

"What's going on…?"

"...!"

Turning their heads towards the source of the roar, that's when the two had first witnessed it.

"What's that…?!" Serval let out reflexively.

It was only natural, as Kaban had that exact thought. A head poke out for the densely growing trees, and that wasn't the end of it. There stood a figure of giant Cellien with thick, strange legs that could effortlessly topple trees while walking.

"Why… We couldn't see it just a moment ago―"

"How are we supposed to defeat such a gigantic Cellien!?"

The giant Cellien abruptly growing in size in such a short time span has left Kaban and Serval completely dumbfounded. At that moment, an uneasy beeping sound came out of Boss' body.

[Warning. Warning. The concentration of Sandstar Raw is increased. Either a localized Cellien outbreak or an eruption of Sandstar Raw are about to happen. Visitors are advised to take shelter immediately. Visitors near a bus are advised to return to the bus. Warning. Warning.]

"L-Lucky-san?"

"What happened, Boss?"

With its ears and eyes blinking red, Boss turned to the two.

[There is no time to explain. We must hurry.]

Despite Boss' voice having its usual stoic tone, feeling the anxiety in its voice, Kaban took Boss into her arms.

"―Serval-chan, let's go back to the bus. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Huh? O-Okay. If you say so.."

The two turned around and ran to the place where they've left the bus. During that time the Black Cellien continued its growth.

…

"―Serval! Kaban!"

The two returning to the bus paused when they heard their names.

"Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey-san!"

The duo rushed over to the tired-looking Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey, who was carrying the unconscious African Wild Dog.

"Is she injured? Are you alright?"

"Uhh… During the fight with the cellien, she's been thrown into a tree…"

"We've also witnessed that cellien. You mean the one that grew up quickly…?"

Hearing Kaban's words, Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey took on a surprised expression.

"Right… I need to quickly return to Brown Bear-san… In any case, I'd like for you to take African Wild Dog to a safe place. Please get away from here immediately. It's too dangerous here."

"In that case let's get to the bus. In the bus we'll be able to keep tabs on African Wild Dog's condition, and when push comes to shove, we could run away in it."

Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey nodded at Kaban's proposition. From Kaban's arms, Boss continuously let out beeping and restless noises.

[Hurry up. Hurry up.]

…

"Just… What should I do…" Murmured Brown Bear, propping herself on her bear paw.

The Black Cellien has grown to the point where its figure could be seen from other places. With such a hopeless sight, Brown Bear could do nothing but stand motionless.

(I wonder if Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey had ran away with those two…)

Her thoughts wandered towards her companions. Then, she remembered African Wild Dog's words from combat.

If it won't be able to withstand its growth at this rate, then there's a chance that it'll self-destruct.

To reassure herself, she looked up towards the Black Cellien. As the Black Cellien's body grew, sometimes a weird stretching sound would come out.

"Right… Haha… Right! At this rate it's gonna blow up by itself…!"

From where she thought that nothing could've been done, Brown Bear could see a faint ray of hope. If you looked closely, you could see that cracks have started running on the giant.

"It's only a matter of time before it explodes. What a moron―"

But then, a question arose.

"Wait, hold on… If that thing were to explode… Just what will happen…?"

Wouldn't something happen beyond our understanding? At that moment Brown Bear had considered such a possibility.

―The Black Cellien's body showed more cracks.

Hello, this is PoGu. I should probably mention that this series chronologically begins from episode 11 of the first season. Also, we're getting translation notes now.

-In Japanese, Brown Bear's weapon is referred to as "熊手" (kumade). Normally, it translates to "rake", but in this case we get a pun, since the word uses kanji for "bear" (熊) and "hand" (手).

-Yes, the novel refers to our Lucky Beast as "Boss". Also, in Japanese in its dialogue all hiragana (the basic Japanese "letters" used for basic language functions [あいうえお]) is replaced by katakana (essentially alternate hiragana used for loaned words [アイウエオ]). I couldn't come up with a good English equivalent for that, so instead i've put its dialogue in square brackets.

Anyway, since FF doesn't like any kind of link anywhere, I'll instead leave directions on how to find the original work.

First method is to search for "「けもの」の本能" and find the link that leads you to a Japanese site called "kakuyomu".

Alternatively, you can go to the kakuyomu site and add "/works/1177354054882921926" to the domain.